Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles (Switch)

Though the manga only started in 2016, Demon Slayer has gone on to become one of the most successful media franchises in existence—even passing up the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog and Minecraft in raw sales. This action game is, however, one of very few video game adaptations of the story — so thank goodness it's a good'un.

The combat doesn’t have any features that you haven’t seen in similar games, then, but it feels great in motion—kind of like a slightly stiffer version of Devil May Cry. The action is snappy, responsive, and thrilling, yet we found ourselves banging out the same few combos over time. Even so, you’ll probably find lots to love about the action here—the cinematic finishes to boss fights are especially a highlight. We’d give this one a strong recommendation, even to those who don’t have any background with the anime or manga.

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Captain Tsubasa: Rise Of New Champions (Switch)

Step aside, action games and visual novels — this anime adaptation is about football. Or soccer, if you must. Captain Tsubasa has been around for nearly 40 years, across manga, anime, movies, and video games, and over those decades has become one of Japan's most well-loved series. And somehow, this is the first time he's made it overseas (except for 1988's Captain Tsubasa, which was localised as Tecmo Cup Soccer Game for the NES and stripped away all references to the character).

Don't expect a traditional football sim from this one — but if you're willing to play it with an open mind, and as long as you're not against a game that tries something different (as well as plenty of cutscenes), you'll have fun with this one. If you're a fan of the wider Captain Tsubasa franchise, then you're going to love it even more.

Doraemon: Story of Seasons (Switch)

It's exactly what it sounds like: Harvest Moon meets Japanese cartoon mascot, Doraemon. This sedate farming sim is an absolute beauty, and exploring the game's countryside setting is just as enjoyable as other elements in the game. It feels like there is a distinct personality to the game, and that’s expressed through Doraemon: Story of Seasons’ painterly look, which is pulled off perfectly.

With gorgeous visuals and a never-ending list of things to do, it’s unlikely that you’ll get bored while playing it. While its slow pace might turn off some, it’s incredibly welcome to play a game where the fate of the world isn’t at stake, and you can instead just sit down and decide what plants you might want to grow for the upcoming year.

Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom (Switch)

Yeah, we're including both Doraemon games, what of it?

The first game was highly praised for its charming watercolour-like landscapes and painterly appearance, which is maintained in the sequel, and even if Friends of the Great Kingdom doesn't do much to improve on the formula of the original, there's no denying it is a wholesome bundle of farming fun that still manages to carve out its own identity compared to other life and farming sims.

If you go into this game expecting a decent Doraemon farming sim, you won't be disappointed.

Shin chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation -The Endless Seven-Day Journey- (Switch eShop)

Charming manga series and anime sitcom Crayon Shin-chan has been running since 1990. Shin-chan spends his time infuriating his parents, causing arguments, leaping into wild make-believe, repenting and making up, in a neat loop of boisterous hyperactivity and happy sentimentality. Combine it with My Summer Vacation, a My Neighbor Totoro-esque Japanese PS1 game from the year 2000, and you get Shin chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation -The Endless Seven-Day Journey-.

This is about as sedate as games get, as you run your little tyke around beautiful hand-painted scenes, following the directionless, simple adventures of a child’s curiosity on a rural holiday... but it doesn't end there. Once the titular professor turns up, be prepared for things to get wacky — in a childlike fantasy sort of way, at least.

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth (Switch)

Based on the novels/anime/manga/audio dramas/games of the same name, the lovely-looking Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is an action-adventure 2D platformer that takes a lot of its cues from Castlevania. Prior knowledge of titular heroine Deedlit’s high fantasy adventures isn’t required to enjoy the story here, with her generally learning things alongside the player and everything else either revealed with time or easily summed up as ‘someone/thing she used to know’.

If you're after something with the flavour of Symphony of the Night that doesn't feel like a shallow knock-off, this is a beautifully-drawn alternative.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy (Switch eShop)

For a Naruto fan, this well-priced fighting game trilogy is a no-brainer. For a fighting game fan, though, be aware that online play is not as good as we'd like, and the 540p resolution is much harder to bear if you're not already invested in Naruto's adventures. It's not surprising that the game doesn't quite compare to more modern fighting games — the newest game in the trilogy is almost ten years old, after all.

Still, Naruto's first outing on the Switch is a wonderful first step for the orange ninja, and we appreciate Trilogy's cel-shaded look which tries to replicate the feel of the anime on which it’s based.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 Road To Boruto (Switch)

If you're a Naruto fan who wants something a bit more up-to-date than the Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy, you might want to check out the fourth instalment in the series. Thanks to some welcome changes to its core systems – mainly the improved battle mechanics and the great onus on story content – Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 Road To Boruto is the most accomplished and enjoyable instalment in the series yet.

Plus, the "Road to Boruto" expansion actually adds a ton of content, with new versions of Naruto and Sasuke, elements from the Boruto movie, and a bunch of side stories that lengthen the game. If you love all things Naruto, this fourth instalment is a must-have addition to your ninja collection.


Well, what do you think? Have we found the best anime games out there, or missed an obvious one? Head down to the comments and tell us about your pick!

This article is one of our Switch Essentials guides which cover a wide variety of genres, including the Best Switch FPS Games, the Best Switch RPGs, the Best Switch Games For Kids, the Best Switch Couch Co-Op Games and the Best Switch Fitness and Exercise Games. We can also help out hunting down the Best Switch Horror Games, the Best Switch Racing Games, the Best Switch Action-RPGs, the Best Nintendo Switch Roguelikes, Roguelites and Run-Based Games, the Best Free Switch Games, the Best Remakes And Remasters, the Best Switch Music And Rhythm Games, Best Feel-Good Switch Games, Best Switch Open-World Games, Best Switch Soulslike Games, Best LGBTQ+ Switch Games, and even Games to Play After You've Finished Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Whatever your favourite genre, we've got you covered: Strategy Games, Metroidvanias, Puzzle Games, Party Games, Online Multiplayer Games, Local Wireless Multiplayer Games, Shmups, Twin-Stick Shooters, Visual Novels, Kart Racers, Fighting Games, Football Games, Funny Games, Golf Games, 'Walking Sims' And Narrative Games, Switch Games For Lovers And Lonely Hearts, Detective Games, Hidden Gems, 2D Platformers, 3D Platformers, Puzzle Platformers, Tabletop Mode Games, Run and Gun Games, LEGO Games, Sports Games, Survival Games, Beat 'Em Ups, Camera Games, Chill Games, Family Games, Retro-Inspired Games, Short Games, Card Games and Deck-Builders, and Life Sims And Farming Games.

Still hungry for more? Elsewhere we look at Wholesome Games, TATE Mode Games, Flight Sim and Space Combat, Point and Click Adventure Games, and the Best Switch Exclusives, as well as Every Arcade Archives Game, Every ACA Neo Geo Game, Every SEGA AGES Game On Switch, plus the Best Switch Ports, Best Wii U-To-Switch Ports, Best Switch Collections And Compilations, Best Cheap Switch Games, Best Switch Demos, Games That Are Better On Switch OLED, Switch Games Under $10, $20, $50, and Switch games with the Best Soundtracks and the Best Graphics. Phew!

If you're looking for the best Switch games regardless of genre, our reader-voted selection of the Best Nintendo Switch Games should help you out, and you can also find the Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. And finally, if you're interested in other Nintendo consoles and retro games, check out the Best Game Boy Games, Best GBC Games, Best GBA Games, Best Nintendo DS Games, Best Nintendo 3DS Games, Best NES Games, Best SNES Games, Best N64 Games, Best GameCube Games, and Best Wii Games, and Best Wii U Games, as well as Every Available Nintendo Switch Online Retro Game, and ranked lists of Every Nintendo Switch Online NES, SNES, N64 and Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Game.